Near Serious Accidents

Informational Summary Report of Serious or Near

Serious CAL FIRE Injuries, Illnesses and Accidents

A Board of Review has not approved this Informational Summary Report. It is intended to enhance safety and training, aid in preventing future occurrences, and to inform interested parties. Because the report is published in a short time frame, the information contained herein is subject to revision as further investigation is conducted and/or additional information is developed.

Near Serious Accidents

September 27,2020

Glass Incident

20-CA-LNU-015947

California Northern Region

SUMMARY

On September 27, 2020, during the first operational period of the Glass Fire in Napa

County, CA, a CAL FIRE dozer strike team experienced two near serious accidents. At

approximately 10:15 PM, two firefighter dozer swampers deployed their fire shelters

when there was a significant increase in fire activity where the strike team staged the

dozer transports. At approximately 11:10 PM, in a separate location, two of the dozers

from the strike team and a third CAL FIRE dozer relocated to a Temporary Refuge Area

(TRA) due to an increase in fire behavior to wait for the fire front to move past so they

could re-engage. While the dozers were in the TRA one of the dozers caught fire. The

operators attempted to extinguish the dozer but were unsuccessful and the dozer was

destroyed. The firefighter dozer swampers were assessed by medical personnel and

released with no injuries, and both dozer operators were uninjured as well.

Please take the Glass Fire

Fire Shelter Deployment Survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRRJZ6P

CONDITIONS

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRRJZ6P

Glass Green Sheet Page 2 of 12

The following overview provides a description of the fire environment leading up to and

including the events that occurred on September 27, 2020.

Weather:

The incident area was under a Red Flag Warning from 9:00 AM, September 26, through

9:00 PM, September 28, 2020, for offshore winds and low humidity when the Glass Fire

started at 3:50 AM, on September 27, 2020. A spot forecast issued for the incident by the

National Weather Service (NWS) at 6:40 AM, for September 27, predicted a daily max

temperature of 97-102 degrees, a minimum humidity of 15 percent and North to Northeast

winds 5 to 15 mph with gusts 20 to 30 mph. The spot forecast discussion included the

anticipation of another burst of dry Northeast winds overnight.

The incident occurred approximately 2.3 air miles Northeast of the CAL FIRE Portable 14

RAWS which is a temporary RAWS weather station located at an elevation of 280 feet.

The following weather data at the time of the shelter deployment was retrieved from this

station:

Temperature: 93° Fahrenheit

Relative Humidity: 12%

Winds: N @ 6 MPH with N gusts up to 25 MPH

Skies were partially clear with some haze and patchy smoke.

The wind conditions recorded by the CAL FIRE Portable 14 RAWS. The vertical

yellow line marks the approximate time of the shelter deployment.


Fuels:

GR2- Timber grass and understory, 6% of area, loading 4 tons per acre

GS1- Low load dry climate grass-shrub, 2% of area, loading 1.4 tons per acre

SH2- Moderate load dry climate shrub, 14% of area, loading 8.4 tons per acre

SH7- Very high load dry climate shrub, 27% of area, loading 14.4 tons per acre

TU3- Moderate load humid climate timber-grass-shrub, 4% of area, loading 3.3

tons per acre

TU5- Very high load dry climate timber-shrub, 18% of area, loading 14 tons per

acre

TL2- Low load broadleaf litter, 4% of area, loading 5.9 tons per acre

TL4- Small downed logs, 11% of area, loading 6.2 tons per acre

Fuel moistures for the area were calculated at:

1Hr - 4%

10Hr - 5%

100Hr - 10%

Herbaceous - 61%

Live Woody - 85%

Road Conditions:

Lommel Road is a single-lane asphalt road located in the bottom of a canyon with

varying amounts of mature brush and tree stands on both sides. Lommel Road

also bisects the year-round resort of Calistoga Ranch, with multiple structures on

both sides along its length of one mile at which point it terminates into a

roundabout.

Topography:

The site of the shelter deployment sits at the bottom of a two-mile-long box canyon

that descends from Flat Top Mountain (2600 ft. elevation) South-Southwest to the

Napa Valley floor (360 ft. elevation). The box canyon, located where the

Mayacamas Mountain range meets the Howell Mountains, contains the seasonal

Biter Creek and multiple spur ridges that run from Rattlesnake Ridge, West down

to the Biter Creek drainage. The shelter deployment site was at an elevation of

approximately 430 feet with a flat aspect on a landscaped lawn.


The site of the dozer fire was approximately 1800 feet to the North of the shelter

deployment site on a rocky ridge at an elevation of approximately 1100 feet with a

South aspect.

Fire Behavior:

The September 27, 2020, 10:00 PM, data for the Zone 2 Mayacamas Fire Danger

Operating Area contained an Ignition Component of 95, a Spread Component of

156, and a Burning Index of 241.

Observed fire behavior in the area prior to the shelter deployment included

dangerous to critical rates of spread driven by increased down slope North wind

gusts in alignment with the dominant canyon. Significant short- and long-range

spotting and sustained horizontal ember cast were also observed at both event

locations.

Make/Model of Equipment:

Dozer 1 - 2009 Caterpillar D6N XL

Transport 3 - 2020 Cozad lowboy trailer

Dozer Tender 1 - 2002 Ford F450 Super Duty

Other Site Features:

Calistoga Ranch consists primarily of wood framed and sided lodges ranging in size from

600 to 2400 square feet scattered throughout the valley.

Adjacent to the shelter deployment site were:

1200 square foot pool bar and 1000 square foot exercise room to the North

2000 square foot reception lodge and concrete patio to the East

Ornamental vegetation, concrete patio, and a vineyard to the South and West

The dozer fire site was in a Temporary Refuge Area (LOWER TRA) located on the

western ridge above the resort and Biter Creek drainage. The Temporary Refuge Area

(TRA) consisted of a landing cleared to bare mineral soil approximately 1/8 acre in size

with a slope ranging from 15-23% on a South aspect. Above the LOWER TRA was a

second Temporary Refuge Area (UPPER TRA) located approximately 200 feet above the

LOWER TRA that consisted of a landing cleared to bare mineral soil approximately 2/3

acre in size.


Aerial map image of the general area including the Upper and Lower TRA’s and

the shelter deployment site location.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

On September 27, 2020, at approximately 3:48 AM, the CAL FIRE St. Helena Emergency

Command Center (ECC) dispatched a vegetation fire near 200 North Fork Crystal Springs

Road in Napa County, California. Fueled by red flag conditions consisting of offshore

flows, gusty winds and low humidity, the fire quickly spread to the surrounding heavily

wooded areas. As the Glass Fire increased in size and complexity additional resources

and overhead were requested and responded. Included in the response was a CAL FIRE

dozer strike team that consisted of two D6N Type II dozers (D1 and D2), with transports

(T1 and T2), and two dozer tender support vehicles (DT1 and DT2). D1 and D2 were

each staffed by a Heavy Fire Equipment Operator (HFEO) (D1 Operator and D2

Operator) and DT1 and DT2 were each staffed by a Fire Fighter 1 trained as dozer

swampers (FF1 and FF2).

At approximately 2:00 PM, the CAL FIRE dozer strike team arrived at Lommel Road on

Division Alpha and were given a briefing and work assignment by a Heavy Equipment

Boss working on the Division. The fire was well established to the South and progressing

North over Rattlesnake Ridge towards their location in Division Alpha. Division Alpha was

staffed with a CAL FIRE Fire Captain Division Group Supervisor (DIVS1).


D1 and D2 were instructed to access the ridge North of their location from the end of

Lommel Road, locate the existing dozer line, and construct and improve line to the South.

They were advised to contact a CAL FIRE dozer (D3) staffed by a HFEO (D3 Operator)

that was currently constructing dozer line South along the ridge with a private dozer (PVT

D1).

Immediately following the briefing, FF1 and FF2 located a parking lot off Lommel Road.

They observed a dozer transport (T3) parked there and chose the same area to park the

transports. While D1 and D2 offloaded, and proceeded to their assignment, FF1 and FF2

scouted the area around the parking lot. They observed various structures, swimming

pools, equipment and vegetation adjacent to the parking lot.

At approximately 3:35 PM, D1 and D2 located the existing dozer line on the ridge and

began working South, down the line, widening it as they progressed. D1 Operator

observed active fire across the canyon to the Southeast beginning to back down from the

top of Rattlesnake Ridge. Within approximately thirty minutes, D1 and D2 caught up to

D3 and a private hired dozer (PVT D1) and continued to follow their dozer line, widening

and improving as they went. Close to sunset D3 was in the lead and encountered a large

rock outcropping.

Upon completion of scouting the area around the parking lot, FF1 and FF2 parked DT1

behind T1, staffed DT2 together, and drove North on Lommel Road progressing up

canyon in the direction of D1 and D2 until they came to a dirt road that led to a mid-slope

vantage point. DT2 remained in this location until after dark at which time they observed

an increase in wind gusts.

At approximately 8:25 PM, DT2 heard radio traffic that the fire had crossed Lommel

Road. Upon hearing the radio traffic DT2 drove Southwest back down the dirt road to

the North end of Lommel Road. Once there, FF1 and FF2 observed deteriorating

conditions on both sides of Lommel Road with multiple structures on fire. DT2 continued

along Lommel road and encountered a Battalion Chief in a pick-up truck (BC1) and

multiple fire engines progressing in a stop and go manner. FF1 had a brief discussion

with BC1 who advised that BC1 and the fire engines were leaving the area. FF1 advised

BC1 that DT2 would be right behind them. FF1 and FF2 observed a significant increase

in downslope wind, decreased visibility and multiple spot fires. Prior to leaving Calistoga

Ranches, FF1 and FF2 entered the parking lot where the dozer transports were parked.

FF1 and FF2 repositioned T1 and T3 to better protect them from the increase in fire

intensity. As conditions continued to deteriorate along Lommel Road FF1 and FF2

considered whether to stay or attempt to exit the resort via Lommel Road. FF1 and FF2

decided it was safer to stay in their present location than to risk getting trapped on the


road attempting to leave. At this point no communication had been made from FF1 or

FF2 to D1 or D2 of their situation.

View from Silverado Trail facing East of D1 and D3 constructing line on the ridge.

PVT D1 can be seen below the ridge as the dozer descended.

It was dark by the time D1, D2, D3 and PVT D1 navigated past the rock outcropping along

the ridge. D1 observed that the fire backing down the ridge to the South had progressed

approximately one-third of the way down the slope. They continued to construct and

improve line South down the ridge which was narrow in some spots with varying amounts

of vegetation. At approximately 09:20 PM, D3 advised PVT D1 to continue down the ridge

to Dutch Henry Canyon Road to the West.

At approximately 9:55 PM, FF1 and FF2 reassessed the pool and parking lot area for

hazards and to identify a TRA. They identified an area of the pool patio as the best option

for a TRA and began clearing furniture and shade umbrellas away from a stone wall on

the North side of the patio. Conditions further deteriorated all around them. FF1 and FF2

heard multiple explosions, experienced heavy smoke, sustained ember cast, and

witnessed the structures and vineyard adjacent to them begin to burn.


FF1 and FF2, aware of a bin of towels near the pool, each covered their helmets with one

of the towels to increase protection from smoke and then crouched below the stone wall

on the North side of the pool. As the embers began igniting their towels, FF1 and FF2

discarded them into the pool, set their fire line packs on the patio, and removed the fire

shelters from their hard plastic case. Simultaneously, the ornamental shrubs above the

North stone wall flared up so FF1 and FF2 moved slowly through the smoke around the

West end of the pool to a lawn area. FF1 observed the wind creating small waves in the

pool. FF1 and FF2 removed their shelters from their PVC bags and deployed their shelters

on the lawn. It was approximately 10:30 PM.

View facing South showing, bottom to top: the parking lot, structure layout, pool, and the lawn where FF1 and FF2 deployed their fire shelters.

At approximately 10:10 PM, as DIVS1 monitored the conditions on Lommel Road from a

vantage point on Silverado Trail, DIVS1 observed a significant increase in fire behavior.

At 10:11 PM, DIVS1 notified the CAL FIRE St. Helena ECC via radio and advised there

was significant fire running down into the Lommel Road area with multiple homes and

multiple outbuildings and the fire is making a hard push towards Silverado Trail.

At approximately 10:30 PM, as D1 and D2 constructed dozer line, they were contacted

by D3 Operator via radio that there was fire below their location. D3 Operator advised D1

and D2 to create a clearing as large as they could at their present location (UPPER TRA)


and to take refuge there. Simultaneously D3 created a (LOWER TRA) located

approximately 200 feet below D1 and D2 and took refuge there.

D1 Operator and D2 Operator observed a significant increase in wind and ember cast.

As the main fire front passed the UPPER TRA, D1 and D2 moved down to the LOWER

TRA to check on D3. As D1 arrived at the LOWER TRA, D3 Operator advised D1

Operator that there was fire underneath D1 and told D1 to back up. D1 backed up

approximately twenty feet but D1 Operator did not see fire on the ground. A moment later

D1 Operator observed fire rising from the left side of D1. D1 Operator removed the

extinguisher from the cab of D1, exited the dozer from the right side, and attempted

unsuccessfully to extinguish the fire which eventually spread to the rest of the dozer. It

was approximately 11:15 PM.

View facing East showing D1 burned in the Lower TRA.

A few minutes later, D3 Operator notified DIVS1 of the event and reported there were no

injuries. After approximately one hour of sheltering in the LOWER TRA, D2 Operator

attempted to start D2 but the dozer would not start. As conditions improved, D2 was

secured and D3 followed D1 and D2 operators as they hiked down the ridge to Dutch

Henry Canyon Road to return to the transports.

FF1 and FF2 remained in their fire shelters on the lawn communicating with each other

and monitoring conditions by occasionally looking under the edge of the shelter. They

continued to experience significant radiant and convective heat and smoky conditions.


At approximately 12:05 AM, September 28, 2020, FF1 and FF2 agreed that the fire

conditions had improved, and they exited their fire shelters and notified both D1 and D2

Operators via radio of their status.

FF1’s burned web gear on the pool patio near the North wall.

Aerial detail image of the parking lot and shelter deployment site location.


At approximately 12:20 AM, September 28, 2020, D3 Operator returned to T3 in the

parking lot off Lommel Road. Upon arrival, D3 Operator observed that the rear tires on

T3 trailer were burning. At the same time, FF2 approached D3 Operator from the pool

area carrying a fire shelter. D3 operator asked FF2 why FF2 was carrying a fire shelter.

FF2 told D3 Operator that they (FF2 and FF1) had to deploy their fire shelters. D3

Operator notified DIVS1 that there had been a shelter deployment and advised DIVS1

that T3’s trailer and DT1 were damaged by fire. DIVS1 arrived at the parking lot

approximately ten minutes later and requested an ALS ambulance respond to Silverado

Trail and Lommel Road. When the ambulance arrived, FF1 and FF2 were evaluated by

paramedics who confirmed they were not injured.

View of the damaged Cozad trailer from Transport 3 in the parking lot where it sat

on the night of September 27, 2020.

Heat damage on the passenger side of DT1.


INJURIES/DAMAGES

There were no injuries resulting from these events.

Dozer 1 sustained major heat and structural damage.

Transport 3 sustained major heat and moderate structural damage.

Dozer Tender 1 sustained moderate heat damage.

One fire line pack destroyed by fire.

SAFETY ISSUES FOR REVIEW

Maintain prompt communications with your forces, your supervisor, and your

adjoining forces.

Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts.

Know what your fire is doing at all times.

18 Watch Out Situations: Wind increases and / or changes direction.

INCIDENTAL ISSUES/LESSONS LEARNED

Recent fire shelter training and the ability to remain calm, think clearly and act

decisively assisted in creating a survivable environment.

Familiarity with hazards in the area helped develop a Hazard/Risk assessment.

Removal of flammable hazards from the deployment area aided in improving the

deployment site.

The use of numerous forms of refuge and shelter played a significant role in the

ability of the FF’s to protect themselves from the extreme radiant heat from all the

fire around them.

Deploying a fire shelter does not have to be an unquestionable, last-second

lifesaving event. The uncertainty of the situation compelled the firefighters to

deploy shelters, an appropriate use of an available tool.

Deploying next to each other and talking to each other during the deployment

helped keep them calm.

Accumulation of flammable foliage and debris on equipment is common. Clearing

debris may help reduce the risk of equipment fire, especially during periods of

significant ember cast.

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Near Serious Accidents